Forbidden Passion

Chapter 687 The Illusion of a Family of Three

Phoebe grabbed a box of canned fish, ready to toss it into the shopping basket. Trinity, standing next to her, chimed in, "Mrs. Reynolds, Ollie can't eat that stuff." Phoebe turned, puzzled. "Why not?"

"Didn't Mr. Reynolds tell you? Ollie had a rough time with a gastrointestinal tumor. He can't handle the high protein in canned fish; it's too much for him."

Phoebe froze for a second, then put the canned fish back on the shelf.

She gently stroked Ollie's back, smoothing his fur. "Sorry, I had no idea."

"It's alright." Trinity reached out and scratched Ollie's chin, and he offered her his front paw.

Phoebe glanced at the array of snacks, feeling a twinge of sadness. She licked her dry lips. "Was it really that bad?"

Trinity looked over at Theodore, who was swiping his card nearby, and said, "Yeah, it was pretty serious. There was a typhoon that day. We were supposed to close early, but a dog in the store got sick, and Piper treated it. We didn't finish until two or three in the morning."

"We were about to close when Mr. Reynolds walked in, soaked to the bone, carrying Ollie. That was the first time I saw him look so lost. While Piper worked on Ollie, he stood under the eaves, chain-smoking," Trinity continued. "After a while, he finally got the nerve to call someone. He kept dialing but never said a word. It wasn't until I brought him the surgery consent form that I heard the phone prompt saying the number was out of service."

Phoebe's heart tightened, and she instinctively followed Trinity's gaze to the corridor outside the window. The sunset cast a fiery red glow on the hallway.

She could almost see Theodore at three in the morning, drenched in rain, repeatedly dialing that unreachable number.

Phoebe said hoarsely, "Thanks for telling me."

"You're welcome, Mrs. Reynolds. I still hope Ollie can have a complete family." Trinity seemed to see right through her.

Phoebe looked down at Ollie, who was clawing in her arms, feeling even more guilty. She wasn't sure if it was for Ollie or Theodore.

Trinity added, "Ollie is quite plump. These snack cans aren't good for him, but you can get him some toys."

"Alright," Phoebe replied.

again, Ollie bristled, his

Trinity just giggled.

couldn't do anything to Trinity. He buried his head in Phoebe's

the vaccine ready,

needle, Ollie quickly wriggled out of

he could escape, a large hand grabbed the back

Ollie the shot and smiled. "When it comes

clear he had brought Ollie for shots many times over the past three

her cool neck, looking at the unusually well-behaved Ollie, and the pity she felt

and Theodore had an extra bag of cat toys

owed Ollie something, Phoebe couldn't help but want to buy him a ton of toys. If Theodore hadn't stopped

from Theodore, and placed it on the front

followed her in. As Jack was getting settled, he casually asked, "Want to grab a bite before heading

checked the time on her wrist and said, "Let's do dinner another

into a thin line,

"Yeah, we're closer to the Imperial Apartment.

everyone there called them Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds, like

hospital shattered that little

their separate ways, each heading

an excuse or not, calling it out wouldn't help

"Alright," he said.

pulled into the underground parking lot of the Imperial

said politely, "Ms. Ziegler, thanks for today. I'll pick

eyes met Ollie's. The cat seemed to sense something and meowed softly at

with Ollie, his long fingers gently stroking the cat's